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The differences between principal product managers and product managers lead can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 8-10 years to become both a principal product manager and a product manager lead. Additionally, a principal product manager has an average salary of $145,943, which is higher than the $138,531 average annual salary of a product manager lead.
The top three skills for a principal product manager include product management, QA and product development. The most important skills for a product manager lead are architecture, QA, and product management.
| Principal Product Manager | Product Manager Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $145,943 | $138,531 |
| Hourly rate | $70.16 | $66.60 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 143,985 | 110,157 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 10 |
The duties of a principal product manager depend on one's place or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around overseeing the organization's product roadmap, devising strategies for optimal operations and services, and managing production and marketing communications. They must also coordinate with different research scientists and engineers to develop systems and networks that will increase profitability and assist in meeting consumers' needs. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage teams, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
A product manager lead is responsible for supervising the development and strategic launch of the company's products from conceptualization to final market release. Product managers work closely with the marketing and sales team to identify efficient promotional techniques to enhance the brand's image across the market and develop outstanding features according to trends and public demands. They also handle media commitments and press releases and maximize product vision. A product manager lead directs the budgeting and sales forecasting, ensuring that the process adheres to budget limitations and deadlines.
Principal product managers and product managers lead have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Product Manager | Product Manager Lead | |
| Average salary | $145,943 | $138,531 |
| Salary range | Between $106,000 And $199,000 | Between $99,000 And $192,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Brex | The Walt Disney Company |
| Best paying industry | Start-up | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a principal product manager and a product manager lead in terms of educational background:
| Principal Product Manager | Product Manager Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between principal product managers' and product managers lead' demographics:
| Principal Product Manager | Product Manager Lead | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.9% Female, 26.1% | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |